Collin County commissioners sought budget guidance from the judge presiding over the criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

But District Judge George Gallagher had none to give.

The judge, based in Tarrant County, sidestepped direct questions from the county about how he intends to compensate the three Houston attorneys appointed as special prosecutors. He also declined to say whether he intends to use the fee schedule from Collin County or Tarrant County. Or something else entirely.

Gallagher’s four-sentence response to Collin County Judge Keith Self reads: “I am writing to respond to your inquiry regarding payment of attorneys pro tem for whom I will approve invoices. Unfortunately, I am presently unable to provide you an estimate of the amount of time will be spent for trial, if any, nor the amount of potential costs of litigation in these matters. At this time, the cases are too early in their development.”

That leaves the county in a quandary, since the costs are coming out of its budget.State law calls for appointed attorneys to be paid the same amount as defense attorneys taking on an indigent client. Collin County’s fee schedule for first-degree felony cases lists a $1,000 flat fee plus $1,000 per day during trial. But commissioners were told the attorneys in this case were promised $300 an hour.

The county’s proposed fiscal year 2016 budget started out with a line item for special prosecutors at $2 million. That was cut back to $285,000. Last week, commissioners said they believed Collin County’s fees were in effect and estimated the three attorneys and a two-week trial would cost about $33,000.

But after getting no response from Galllagher, commissioners settled on a budget figure of $100,000. The amount was included in the fiscal year 2016 budget posted online on Monday. (Click here for a link to the budget, which estimates costs for the special prosecutors, on page 113). Commissioners will vote Sept. 21 to approve the budget.

The potential costs have become a political issue. Real estate developer and Paxton supporter Jeffory Blackard has already put the county on notice that he intends to sue if the county pays too much.

No invoices for payment have been submitted since special prosecutors Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice were appointed to the case in April. A third attorney, Nicole DeBorde, was added to the case last month.

Paxton, a Republican from McKinney, is represented by former Dallas County First Assistant District Attorney Terri Moore and veteran Houston defense attorney Dan Cogdell.

Paxton was indicted over the summer on two counts of first-degree securities fraud and one count of third-degree failure to register as a securities agent. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.